November 16, 2017

UOW staff recognised for 40 years’ service

Linda Stobie and Sally Stawanski honored in 40 Years’ Service Dinner. 

Two UOW staff members have been recognised for their service to the University over the past 40 years.

The 40 Years’ Service Dinner, held on Tuesday 14 November, pays tribute to exceptional staff who have shaped and served the University over the 40 years since UOW’s independence.

Hosted by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings, CBE, with Dr Annette Wellings, the event paid tribute to Linda Stobie and Sally Stawanski, who both commenced employment at UOW in 1977.

From fielding calls about people wanting to donate their bodies to the University, to playing the role of concierge for UOW walk-ins, Linda and Sally have seen the institution grow from humble beginnings with just over 2,000 students enrolled, to more than 30,000 students across domestic and international campuses.

“Seeing the university change from a small local campus to a world-renowned campus has been the most rewarding thing about working here; the University has tripled in size and flourished to become a diverse and environmentally friendly campus,” Linda said.

Linda initially worked with the Wollongong Institute of Advanced Education, which amalgamated with UOW in 1983, as a switchboard operator and receptionist. She has supervised UOW examination for 13 years and has helped with fundraising and running the UOW Children’s Christmas Party.

“It’s an honour [to be recognised for service to UOW] and I am very grateful to have a marvelous workplace to belong to,” she said.

Linda is currently employed as a Client Service Officer in the Business Support unit in Information Management and Technology Services (IMTS) and is the first port of call for anyone calling the University.

Sally commenced employment at UOW as a telephonist/office assistant for what was then the University’s Central Services, describing the changes in technology as “remarkable”.

“We have forged forward from a Telstra ISDN link to North Sydney exchange with 10 copper lines as a back-up for emergencies, to a 1991 Nortel PABX Switchboard with 15 incoming lines and 3,000 extensions – to now operating IP Telephony which incorporates 8,000 assigned extensions,” she explained.

Sally has worked consecutively in a part-time capacity under a number of departments and as an exam supervisor, most recently working alongside Linda as a Client Service Officer at IMTS Business Support.

“It doesn’t feel like I’ve been here for 40 years, but in saying that it has been a good 40 years,” Sally said.

Professor Wellings thanked the two staff members for their commitment to UOW since the early days of the institution.

“It is both a pleasure and an honour to be able to thank these two women for their hard work and dedication to this University,” he said.